What Is a Neurological Disorder?

Out of the many problems and disorders that physical therapists help patients overcome, some of the most serious and complicated can be neurological disorders. According to the World Health Organization, a neurological disorder is a disease that affects the central and peripheral nervous system, meaning the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, and muscles.

Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, dementia, strokes, migraines, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and head traumas can all be classified under this umbrella of varied disorders. These conditions all stem from physical problems with the brain or associated structures of the body, and they should not be confused with psychiatric illnesses.

A mental illness affects a person’s thoughts and behavior. Of course, certain neurological issues, like Alzheimer’s, might also change a patient’s personality or perception, but unlike these diseases, a mental illness will not have a physical component that a doctor can point to on a scan and say that it is the cause.

Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer from neurological disorders. Strokes claim the lives of approximately 6.2 million people, more than 50 million people suffer from epilepsy, and it is estimated that 35.6 million people deal with dementia, the majority of those cases being brought on by Alzheimer’s.

Some of the main signs to look for that might indicate a neurological issue includes sudden problems with memory and concentration, blackouts, slurred speech, and the loss of use of a limb. If you or a loved one have been experiencing these issues, they could be the sign of a larger problem that requires the intervention of a neurosurgeon or neurological physical therapy.